How To Improve Car Sound On A Budget

Have you noticed lately that the music in your car sounds flat, or even distorted?

Do you find yourself avoiding listening to your stereo because the sound quality is better on your phone?

If you’re searching for ways to boost your car stereo’s sound system, then you’ve come to the right place.

Learning ow to improve your car sound will involve a little know-how and decent audio gear. Our tips on how you can boost the sound quality in your vehicle can make all the difference in terms of bass and clarity.

By making simple improvements to your existing sound system, you’ll get noticeable results that can totally change the way you listen to music in your car.

Brief Summary

How to improve car sound will depend on how you currently listen to music in your car.

Do you listen to music on your smartphone? Do you have a stock setup? Does your car vibrate when you turn the sound up?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the following options can have a huge impact on the sound quality in your car:

Plug Your Smartphone into your stereo system via a USB cable

Use as little compression as possible for your music files

Purchase sound-deadening mats

Purchase a subwoofer

Upgrade your speakers

These basic changes will instantly improve sound quality in your vehicle and they’re a more affordable option than purchasing a whole new stereo system.

Budget Ways To Improve Your Car Sound

Keep on reading to learn what else you can do to boost your sound system, what subwoofer can provide the type of sound you need for bass-heavy tracks, and how making a few upgrades can really pull your system together.

Upgrade Your Speakers

In many cases, the speakers are the last thing the manufacturer considers when they’re designing a car. Over the years, factory systems have gotten better, but even premium systems still come equipped with cheap speakers and amps.

Installing a good pair of aftermarket speakers can make all the difference in terms of your sound system’s audio quality. You’ll notice an improvement in clarity and a much tighter sounding bass. You may even hear details in a track that you were never able to hear before.

Replacing your speakers will give you more bang for your buck, which is why they’re the best option if you’re looking for a way to improve sound quality on a budget.

Music File Quality

If you store hundreds of songs in your MP3 player this means it’s forced to use a higher level of compression. While these tracks may sound good when you’re listening to them on your headphones, you will definitely notice a major dip in quality when you listen to them in your car.

This high level of compression will cause the loss of some low and high-frequency information, in addition to the details that make each track sound interesting.

When you create a music file, don’t settle for the default setting. If you want to use your smartphone to play tracks, try using as little compression as possible.

With a higher bit rate, you’ll notice that your music sounds much better through your speakers. If you stream your music, then check out the settings in your music app to ensure they’re adjusted correctly.

Another option is paying for a higher quality music streaming service. These services offer a higher resolution which equals better sound quality.

DAC

The DAC, also known as a digital to analog converter works by converting digital info into an analog music signal.

Most people use their smartphone as their music player. A smartphone’s built-in DAC does a sufficient job for casual listening purposes, especially when it comes to listening to music with your headphones. However, it doesn’t deliver the same type of quality that you will enjoy from an advanced DAC, which is found in many high-end car stereos.

One solution is connecting your smartphone to your stereo via a USB cable. This can allow you to bypass your phone’s DAC and use your car stereo’s DAC instead.

Reduce Vibration

When you reduce road noise and vibration you’ll enjoy improved sound clarity. Unfortunately, many speakers are installed in a car’s door panel, which is not the best place because the thin metal tends to vibrate when you turn the volume up.

If you use sound-deadening products such as Hushmats, you can create a more stable platform for your speakers while deadening the vibrations.

Related Questions

Will A Sub Make a Huge Difference in Terms of Sound Quality?

Fortunately, these days subs are more affordable than ever, so you should have no problem finding a great sub for your car, even if you’re on a tight budget. To learn more, click here to read our subwoofer buyer’s guide.

Can You Install a Sub in a Compact Car?

Yes. Subs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many newer models are thin and compact, so they can easily fit under a seat. Others can be installed in the trunk of your car.

Ultimately, the space needs of a sub will vary from model to model. If you’d like to learn more about the sub’s installation process, read our article on how to put a subwoofer in a car.

Improving Car Sound On A Budget: Final Thoughts

How to improve car sound can be as simple as purchasing a new sub for your existing system, upgrading the speakers in a stock setup, adding Hushmats to deaden vibrations, or downloading higher quality music files.

You’ll be surprised by how much your car’s audio improves by just making these simple changes, while you enjoy listening to your music in your car the way it was meant to be heard.

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